™LEGO ROBOTICS PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE
THE LEARNING
Both LEGO NXT g programming and RoboLab2.9.4c programming environments use pictures (icons) to tell the program what to do Students click and drag icons from menus onto a work-space and place them in logical sequences just like a flow-chart.
It is easy to teach fundamental programming skills using NXT or RoboLab ( Both backed onto ™ LabVIEW)
Both programming environments are icon based systems that are easy to use, no syntax, spelling or language needed, student will be into the programming process faster, low threshold and high ceiling!
This means that students get into higher levels of programming much faster. It also means that the concentration is on the thought processes rather than the structure of a particular language that may well be defunct when they reach university.
The programming thought process is applicable and transferable to any programming language.
Students are learning logical , sequential thinking. Testing and evaluation, scientific thought processes, setting sensor parameters etc.
Students are working with a program derived from an industry standard and may be directly relevant to future employment/studies. LabVIEW is a standard tool for scientific engineers in the workforce
They learn about control systems and creating a robot that can autonomously respond to its environment
Students use sensors and outputs explore an environment
They apply logic to a variety of design briefs
The Programming Process
Through Using the LEGO Robotics Equipment Students will-
- Investigate the situation- I have a range of activities and challenges. Students will identify problems or a situations inherent in the challenges that can be improved / solved robotically.
- Experiment with the pre built robot to determine its capabilities and become familiar with inputs and outputs. In longer session students will have the option to build onto the NXT robot, add a motor and building elements or decorate the robot.
- Program the robot using a computer and the LEGO software ( either NXT g or RoboLab) .
- Download the program into the NXT brick using a USB lead into the robot , then detach the lead
- Execute the program, observe, and test.
- Refine / modify the program / robot mechanics
- Repeat
- Throughout the process students may record the process and results of testing. They will make hypotheses, draw conclusions and make decisions.
Undertake some basic on-brick programming to understand how a robot processes information
YOUR SOFTWARE OPTIONS:
™LEGO NXT g SOFTWARE
OR
™LEGO RoboLab 2.9.4C SOFTWARE
LEGO NXT g Software can only be used to program the NXT brick, not the RCX brick
The RoboLab 2.9 programming environment can be used to program both /either the RCX and/or the NXT bricks. At right you will see a graphic of the two bricks, both are microprocessors. The NXT brick is the most recent addition to the LEGO robotics range.
I offer an option of both software's. If you wish to use my NXT robots you may select from either NXTg Software or RoboLab 2.9.4c software
ABOUT THE ™LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENT
TEST DRIVE Have a try at on screen NXTg programming to control a virtual robot
Students click and drag icons from the icon palette on the left margin of the screen onto the work surface. They will arrange the icons representing inputs and outputs in a logical progression that will cause the robot to execute the desired actions
Each icon is individually configured using the configuration bar on the bottom left of the programming screen
Configurable elements of MOVE ( motor) icons include-
- Select the port the motor is plugged into
- Select the direction of motion - forward / backwards/ stop
- Select steering - arc left / right and acuteness.
- Select Power level - 0 to 100
- Select duration - length of time the motor will be on / unlimited = waiting for a specified sensor threshold /logical = did something happen?
- Select the motor action that will blend it into the next command - coast / break
To make things simple all configurations have their default settings already set so for basic programs there-s only a few -tweaks- the programmer needs to make
Configurable elements of WAIT FOR ( sensors) icons include-
- Select the port the sensor is plugged into
- Select the threshold reading / number
- Select the type of sensor
To send the program from the computer to the robot the student will plug the USB lead into the computer and robot and then click the DOWNLOAD button, illustrated lower right of the screen. Downloading the program takes about 10 seconds. To run the program, remove the USB lead from the robot, press the orange SELECT button on the NXT brick, scroll to find your program and then press the ORANGE button to RUN your program
In most instances the programming icon includes graphics that illustrate the function and configuration
Similarly, the MOVE icons also included graphics that show their function and settings .
Other outputs that can be programmed are "show graphics ( on the LCD panel) and "play a sound", again the artwork on the icons indicates the function of the icon
Other icons called "Structures" serve the purpose of programming commands like "Loop Forever", "Loop 6 times" , IF one thing or another, do this AND this at the same time etc.
Icons are connected together to make a program, similar to a flow-chart The icons are placed along a sequence bar.
Below is a simple program that should cause the basic robot to move forward straight on a power setting of 75 until the sound sensor plugged in on input port 2 hears a sound louder than 89 decibels. The robot will then spin for 7.9 seconds and then stop. This is a fairly basic program that doesn't include any structures such as loops ( repeat for #) , forks ( IF ) or task splits ( AND) .
Still not sure about using NXT / RoboLab 2.9.4C programming environments? Compare this program with a RoboLab program that will execute the same actions